The West Midlands is to benefit from a #188 million Government grant to improve transport in the region.

The money will fund a range of measures including better street lighting, road maintenance, park and ride facilities and cycle lanes.

Examples include Centro's Bus Showcase scheme throughout the West Midlands, which costs #10 million a year.

As well as providing new and buses, the scheme has included enclosed glass bus shelters, electronic displays that passengers exactly when the next bus will arrive, and dedicated bus lanes.

The funding will be used in the West Midlands conurbation, including Birmingham, Walsall, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, and Coventry.

A spokesman for the seven authorities welcomed the money, but warned: "The West Midlands needs a step-change in its transport system, and continued investment to achieve that."

Another #16 million has been allocated to Warwick-shire, while Worcestershire received #13 million and Staffordshire received #24 million.

Herefordshire was allocated #10 million, Shropshire received #18 million, Stoke-on-Trent received #6 million, and Telford and Wrekin received #4 million.

The funding will also pay for an ambitious expansion of cycle routes in Dudley, and a new school travel scheme in Shropshire, including cycle training for pupils.

Worcestershire County Council is to spend about #2 million on network of park & ride sites in Worcester, and Warwickshire County Council is to introduce a new park & ride scheme which will open in Stratford-upon-Avon next year.